Gear Up with the Best Off-Road Tires for Your Buck

Going off-road with your truck? You’ll need a tire that is intended for off-road use. There are a lot of choices in off-road tires, so make sure to choose the best one for your truck and its capabilities. Choosing the right tire can have a lot of benefits but choosing the wrong tire can become costly.

Always do your research and choose the best off-road tire that your budget allows. Because when it comes to off-roading, having the right tire combination can be beneficial in certain off-roading circumstances.

But before you buy let's show you a couple of brands.

Goodyear Wrangler Radial TireYou can’t go wrong with Goodyear. They’re known for being some of the most reliable tire manufacturers around. The Wrangler Radial Tire is perfect for going off-road, handling well on all kinds of terrain, including mud, ice, and snow. With a deep tread pattern, these tires can handle sinking mud pits and bogs without getting stuck. They also feature thick sidewalls for more stability and control. The rubber is puncture-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about getting stranded in the wilderness. On a negative note, these tires will show their wear and tear after numerous runs in the mud, but they can last more than a few years. They also tend to be noisier than your average road tire.

BFGoodrich T/A Km2One of the thickest and meanest off-road tires on the road, the BFGoodrich T/A Km2 features a 3-ply design with hearty rubber treads that will quickly catch your eye. The rubber is so thick that you won’t have to worry about punctures or dents.

While it’s more than equipped to handle the mud, snow, and ice, this tire is the ideal choice if you’re an avid rock crawler. Your off-road truck will need tires that can hold up under pressure when you’re zig-zagging over cliffs and giant boulders. The thick tread clings and curves with the rocks, helping you steer over the steepest of cliffs. They also come with a rim protector for more puncture resistance.

The only downside to this tire is its weight. Expect to pay more at the pump when you’re driving around these heavyweights.

Cooper Discoverer 115tIf you’re looking for something suitable for on and off-road conditions, Cooper Discoverer Radial Tires are a great choice. They have a no-nonsense design that handles all kinds of terrain like a champ. You won’t feel ridiculous rolling up to the grocery store with these tires on your truck, but they can hold up in the wilderness like nobody’s business. They feature a silica-based compound that’s perfect for getting traction in wet conditions.

They haves a 5-rib design for getting through all kinds of terrain, but the center rib allows for easy handling on soft conditions, so you won’t notice too much of a difference when you go from the pavement to the grass. You might notice some slight vibrations with these tires, but all in all they’re a great choice for those who like to stay flexible.

Cooper Discoverer 116tLift your suspension another few inches, and you can make room for the Cooper Discoverer 116t, a size larger than the 115t. You can expect all the same benefits that come with the 115, but these add another inch in height and width for more strength and support in the wilderness. They handle well in wet conditions, and the puncture resistance is superb.

They also resist wear and tear caused by gravel. All those tiny flying rocks can start building up on your tires after a while. If you have a gravel driveway or you often drive on gravel roads, this Cooper model will serve you well.

BFGoodrich All-TerrainReady to go high-end with your tires? The BFGoodrich All-Terrain tire is well worth its inflated price tag. It has reinforced rubber sidewalls for more durability. That extra rubber can make the tires a little stiff to work with, but you’ll be glad it’s there when the going gets tough. Unlike previous tire models, the All-Terrain comes with raised bars in the shoulder that provide more traction in the mud. As the tires turn in the mud, they release any mud or gravel that may be stuck to your tire, helping you get a firm grip against the earth every time.

The shoulders are also serrated, which is perfect for traveling through snow and thick patches of soft soil. They also feature a unique footprint that evenly distributes any stress you put on the tire, so they won’t wear out as quickly as other models.

Federal Couragia RadialYou’ll know a Federal Couragia Radial tire when you see one. They’re known for their larger-than-life design, including a wavy tread pattern that offers supreme off-road traction. But it’s the smoothness that makes these tires so popular with off-road truck enthusiasts. They glide on paved and unpaved roads alike for a smoother, more enjoyable ride.

The tread design is a little farther apart in some areas than most off-road tires. This allows you to quickly clean off the tire after a long day in the mud. You can easily fit your finger between the grooves to remove any dirt, mud, or rocks that might be hiding in your tires. The tires also have large sidewalls for more stability, helping you stay in control despite all the bumps in the road. You might notice a little extra noise from these guys, but this shouldn’t get in your way.

Nitto Mud GrapplerWant a tire built to soak up off-roading abuse? This is the tire for you. The three-ply polyester sidewall along with a high strength steel belt tread provides ample puncture resistance. The tread pattern is built specifically to grab at rocky terrain while clearing mud and dirt from the pattern—keeping your tires exactly where you put them. The Grapplers also have two sidewall designs, letting you choose how your tires look. One side has lizard skin side lugs and the other is just plain side lugs. This engineering marvel is nothing to overlook—even the smallest weight imbalance can cause vibrations. Nitto has figured out how to create uniform tires perfect for off-roading that have different designs.

Decide Your Truck’s Use and then Choose Your TiresChoosing the right tires for your off-road truck is all about how you plan on using it. From rock-crawling competitions to going on and off paved surfaces, each tire comes with its own strength and weaknesses. If you lift your off-road truck, you can’t go wrong with any of the tires on this list. Grab a set of these tires today to make the most of your next off-road adventure.

About the author

Kelly Tuttle serves as the Web Content Manager for Truck Hero and Superlift. Kelly oversees all Web Content including copy, video, images, and SEO for Truck Hero from the Ann Arbor, MI headquarters. Before joining Truck Hero, Kelly was the Sales, Marketing and Web Coordinator for Milacron, Inc. In her free time, Kelly enjoys everything about the outdoors including hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and spending time with her animals.

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